616.6.2 Physical output format methods[//]

When setting up the contact methods, we saw that the actual required physical output formats could be defined hierarchically for each overdue notice. These are defined here.

After choosing this option an overview screen will be displayed with codes already defined.

Columns on the screen

Format code: The unique code identifying the format.

Description: The brief description of the code.

Output code: An internal system code that is based on the output type you selected when creating the code.

In use: Denotes whether or not the field Format available for use is checked.

Options on the screen

New format: Choose this option to define a new format. See section 616.6.2.1 for more information.

Update format: Select a format and choose this option to modify it. See section 616.6.2.1 for more information.

Delete format: Select a format and choose this option to delete the format.

Change language: It is also possible to change the language of the description for formats, as for the contact method above. Since regular library staff will never see this parameter – they see the contact method code and description – it is expected that you will rarely use this.

616.6.2.1 New format

Normally we would expect you to set only ONE physical method, but it is possible to select more than one! Historically, this corresponds to the feature in previous releases where you could both mail AND email the first overdue, say, to a borrower.

In principle, it would be possible to configure a code “EVERY_POSSIBLE_WAY” for example to send a notice by Mail, Email, VoiceMail, and Text – but this would be odd, to put it mildly!  For this format to be selected, a borrower would have to have an EMAIL address, a voice TELEPHONE AND a mobile phone i.e. for an output format to be chosen every possible method MUST be valid for a given borrower.

Note

A hierarchy of choices is represented in the Contact method, NOT in this parameter.

New format: Choose this option to define a new format. After choosing this option the following form will be displayed:

Fields on the screen

Format code: enter a code.

Description: enter a brief description of the code.

Print output: check this to generate notices to be sent to a printer.

Email output: check this to generate notices to be sent by email.

Voicemail output: check this to generate notices to be sent to Itiva for voice mail.

SMS (text) output: check this to generate notices to be sent to Itiva for SMS text messaging.

SMS via Voicemail output: check this option to enable SMS message to be output for voicemail.

No output: check this option to suppress physical output of notices. See the help of AFO 452 for more information.

Format available for use: It is possible to set a format “off” – this prevents it being used in a contact method but does NOT stop it if previously added to a contact method.

Charge for overdue notices: Charges for overdue notices are calculated according to a matrix entry for notice charges in AFO 481. However, it is possible to override this amount for a specific physical output format. Typically we would expect this to be used for email notices. The amount may be specified in this field.

Note

The options C (Fax) and M (Mailmerge) are no longer valid, but retained in the display for backwards compatibility. They should be deleted if they still occur on your system.

616.6.3 Itiva message system settings[//]

This option is only relevant if you use the Itiva messaging system. Please contact Infor for more information.

616.7 Smartcard webservices parameters[//]

The system supports various web services for "receiving" details of borrowers from an external system. For instance, when registering new students in a university system, this information can be passed on to Vubis, where they will automatically be registered as new borrowers. Similar mechanisms can be used to update and delete such information.

Please contact Infor for more information on using such web services.

Although the parameter setup is theoretically under the control of the library (and therefore offered interactively in this section), parameter settings are not expected to change during the life of the System.

After selecting this option a sub menu will be displayed:

See the next sections for an explanation of these options.

616.7.1 External location mapping[//]

This option allows you to define a mapping between locations as defined in Vubis and external locations.

After selecting this option an overview screen will be displayed:

Options on the screen

New location: Use this option to add a new location mapping. See section 616.7.1.1.

Modify location: Select a line and then this option to view / modify the details of an existing location mapping. See section 616.7.1.1.

Delete location: Select a line and then this option to delete the location mapping. The system will prompt for confirmation.

616.7.1.1 Add / modify mapping

After selecting the option New location or Modify location an input form will be displayed:

Fields on the screen

External location: Enter the code of the external location. External locations must be unique but more than one external location can be mapped to a single internal location.

Description: A free text field that is not mandatory but is recommended as a way of stating what the external location is known as to library staff.

Location: Select an existing Vubis location from the dropdown list.

Note

For an existing mapping the field External location is protected and can not be modified.

616.7.2 Field names[//]

A list of valid external field names expected in any XML message will be defined; some of these fields are optional and some are mandatory. (See next section for definition of mandatory fields)

The list of names is only used at present for mandatory field checking in each message.

After selecting this option an overview screen will be displayed:

Options on the screen

New field: Use this option to add a new field mapping. See section 616.7.1.2.

Modify field: Select a line and then this option to view / modify the details of an existing field mapping. See section 616.7.1.2.

Delete field: Select a line and then this option to delete the field mapping. The system will prompt for confirmation.

616.7.1.2 Add / modify mapping

After selecting the option New field or Modify field an input form will be displayed:

Fields on the screen

External field: Enter the code of the external field. External field names must be unique.

Description: A mandatory free text field to dexcribe what the external field contains.

Internal field: This is always set to "As entered".

Note

For an existing mapping the field External field is protected and can not be modified.

616.7.3 Mandatory fields[//]

A list of valid external field names expected in any XML message will be defined. In this section you can determine which of these fields are mandatory.

The list of names is only used at present for mandatory field checking in each message.

After selecting this option an overview screen will be displayed:

Options on the screen

New function: Use this option to add a new definition. See section 616.7.1.3.

Modify function: Select a line and then this option to view / modify the details of an existing definition. See section 616.7.1.3.

Delete function: Select a line and then this option to delete the definition. The system will prompt for confirmation.

616.7.1.3 Add / modify function

After selecting the option New function or Modify function an input form will be displayed:

Fields on the screen

External function: Enter the code of the function. Function names must be unique.

Description: A mandatory free text field to dexcribe what the function entails.

Fields: Move the fields that are mandatory for this function to the right. Each time a message is received, the system will check if these fields are present.

Note

For an existing mapping the field External function is protected and can not be modified.


·                     Document control - Change History

 

Version

Date

Change description

Author

1.0

June 2008

creation

 

2.0

September 2008

updates for stack request module and notices for expired membership

 

3.0

May 2009

minor corrections; explanantion of email settings in relation to AFO 241 (suppliers)
part of 2.0 updates

 

3.1

November 2009

additional info for section on security indication; improved explanation of Circulation button options; new options for Smartcard web services
part of 2.0 updates

 

4.0

May 2010

New options for contact preferences for overdues and reservations
part of 2.0.06 updates

 

5.0

May 2010

Fax and mailmerge fields have been removed from the input form for a new format definition
part of 2.5 updates